Fairgrounds facelift continues

Progress on the new Cheyenne County Fairgrounds Pavilion is in full swing.

A new enclosed steel building will replace four of the old deteriorated buildings. The previous buildings were used once a year to house animals at the county fair. The new pavilion will be constructed on the existing 100-by-200-foot site and will include six large overhead doors and 18 foot walls.

According to commissioner Phillip Sanders, the new building won't be limited to the 4-H members.

"That building belongs to the county," Sanders said. "Whoever wants to use it will be able to, but they have to rent it out. We want it to be available for farm shows or even weddings. There are just some things we still have to work out and the liability aspect is still an issue."

The Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a bid for the construction of the new livestock building at a commissioners meeting in August.

"We can't limit it to the 4-H kids," Sanders said. "They were a part of the main goal for getting the new building done, but everyone in the county is pitching in to help and we want it to be available. We still need to find someone who is willing to maintain it."

So far the project has been funded by grants and private donations.

Sprenger Financial Solutions/New York Life held a fundraising breakfast during this year's Oktoberfest parade collecting $17,000 to be donated to the Cheyenne County Pavilion Fund. Donations are directed through the Cheyenne County fund, a charitable giving organization affiliated with the 501 Nebraska Community Fund that makes all of the donations tax deductible.

The mission of the Cheyenne County Fund is to collaboratively enrich the quality of life in our countywide community by inspiring people to make meaningful investments in the future of Cheyenne County.

According to Susan Narjes and Cheyenne County Treasurer Diane Scott, $426,000 has been collected to fund the project.

Narjes said that funding to finish extra details and amenities are still needed.

The buildings are currently in three demolished piles and will be burned before the start of the next step. Weather will play a huge role on each phase of construction.

Narjes says the building is projected to be completed by spring of next year and in time for the fair.